Honest, straight-up, a bit edgy, resilient: Barnsley FC head coach Darrell Clarke in his own words – the man who turned down Leeds United

Darrell Clarke used all of the above to define himself in an interesting first appearance as Barnsley’s new head coach. He did not simply use such words for their own sake. They weren’t glib; he meant them.

His new club has already made reference to his candour. In the press release announcing his arrival, Reds sporting director Mladen Sormaz noted that Clarke’s ‘open and direct’ attitude throughout the recruitment process shined through, as did his track record of lower-division success and footballing mentality, and that a ‘immediate connection’ was made.

What about the edginess? Well, how about when he hopped upon a pub table following former Bristol Rovers’ Conference play-off final triumph against Grimsby in 2015 and loudly demanded the vanquished team’s local paper to ‘f***ing print this’ before breaking into a victory song? His teams are resilient, as evidenced by his managerial stories at Salisbury and Bristol Rovers.

Clarke’s endurance extends beyond football and into his personal life.

Almost exactly two years ago to the day in May 2022, an emotionally drained Clarke dedicated former club Port Vale’s League Two play-off final victory over hometown club Mansfield to his eldest daughter Ellie, who tragically died earlier that year at the age of 18.

Clarke took a lengthy holiday before returning to work in April, and he held it together to help Vale win over Mansfield, where Ellie was born, lived, and died.

 

Clarke’s management chapters were truly emotional excursions. A man who wears his heart on his sleeve, he has fully invested in the clubs he has attended and will be remembered fondly in sections of the West Country and the Potteries, as well as in a little cathedral city in Wiltshire.

Clarke, who has six promotions on his CV, five as a manager, explained his managerial journey: “I went from coaching Portsmouth under-eights to first-team manager at Salisbury. Probably a bit by default.

“I was the captain of the team in the National League and we got promoted two leagues.”When I look back on my career, some may think, “Well, he hasn’t done it at League One level.” But I believe I have, given the resources I have and the fact that I have undergone significant tests. I have developed resilience.

“At Bristol Rovers, I had a portacabin that could’swing a cat in’ as an office. We were only allowed to use one training pitch and were not permitted to hold afternoon sessions during the week, and this was for four or five seasons rather than just the first.

“I took over with eight games to play, and we were relegated (from the Football League), but we came back with back-to-back promotions. I’ve developed winning teams and understand what a culture and environment should be like, and I need to do so at this level.

“That’s a challenge for me now, and I’m sure the supporters will rally behind me. I strive to be as honest as possible with them, to develop a strong rapport, and to ensure that they like going to watch football.

“I’ve had some fantastic times, but I’m not one to dwell on the past. I want more, I am hungry, and I want to achieve success. I’ve dedicated my entire life to football; some say I give too much, and they are probably correct.

“But that’s me and the day that packs in is the day I hang my ‘whistle’ up.”

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Clarke, now 46, has never played or managed in the Championship. It helps to explain why Barnsley drew him in, and he is betting on himself to take advantage of opportunities he felt he did not have in prior League One roles.

That said, he did famously pass up a chance to manage one of the country’s famous footballing names in the second tier at Leeds United in May 2016, then owned by maverick chairman Massimo Cellino. On whether it now represents a source of regret, Clarke added: “I met Massimo and at the time, it was at the end of back to back promotions at Bristol Rovers.

“If I am honest, it did not feel the right time for me then. I still get people saying to me: ‘I can’t believe you didn’t go’. But for me, it wasn’t at the right time at the right part of my career.

“I wanted to show loyalty to Bristol Rovers where I had a bit of success and felt that (Leeds) was a little bit too early in my career. Now I feel ready for it. I’d had over 600 games at various levels and believe I am ready to manage a big club and I believe we are.”